EV charging standards and Lidl's retail charging expansion

As electric vehicle adoption increases, new standards and retail charging options are becoming more prominent in Germany. Under the updated DIN VDE 0620-2:2021-02 standard, a household-typical load for plugs and coupling sockets is now defined as a maximum energy amount of 7,360 Wh over a 3-hour period. This provides a specific guideline for electrical capacity that was previously less clearly defined.

In the retail sector, Lidl is expanding its electric vehicle charging infrastructure, offering stations at approximately 700 locations. These stations often feature fast-charging capabilities up to 360 kW. Customers can access discounted rates, starting from €0.29/kWh, by using the Lidl Plus App and being registered with Lidl Pay. Charging is limited to one hour per vehicle and is only available during store opening hours.